A body has been found on the shoreline of the North Sea near Aberdeen.

Two lifeboats were launched following reports of a body in the water on Thursday.

The coastguard, assisting Grampian Police, launched an all weather lifeboat and an inshore lifeboat, both from Aberdeen RNLI.

They were sent to the scene off the coast of Balmedie at around 11.50am on Thursday.

A police spokesman said the alarm had been raised by a member of the public at 11.15am after they spotted what they thought was a body floating near the Blackdog fishing station.

"Enquiries are ongoing into the incident and the next of kin has not yet been informed," he said.

"As is usual in such circumstances, a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course."